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      Vegan diet as a possible cause of mental and physical disorders due to vitamin B12 deficiency in an adolescent patient

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      ScienceOpen Posters
      ScienceOpen
      vegan diet, vitamin B12, illnesses, adolescent
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            Abstract

            Introduction

            Recent studies show that a vegan diet causes a deficiency of vitamins (especially B12) and minerals. This can lead to severe physical and mental illnesses. On the other hand, the vegan diet is recommended as a preventative measure against cardiovascular diseases and is a growing trend among young people in developed countries for ideological reasons such as animal welfare and climate protection.

            Objectives

            To show the importance of anamnesis of nutrition and vitamin B12 status in treatment of varied mental and physical symptoms in an adolescent.

            Methods

            The poster shows the case study of an adolescent girl who sought psychological help for nightmares and symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as physical symptomsin the form of disturbed menstruation, fatigue and weakness, lethargy, dizziness, undifferentiated abdominal pain with nausea, and weight gain. All of which affected her academic success at university and daily functioning. An anamnesis showed that she has been following a vegetarian dietfor 4 years and a vegan diet for two months.

            Results

            Laboratory tests showed a deficiency of vitamin B12 (130 pmol/L) and 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D (D3+D2) (47 nmol/l) and slightly elevated TSH levels (4,2x10-3 IU/L). These tests can explain the patient’s symptoms. Other laboratory results were in the normal range. A treatment with psychological therapy and vitamin supplements was commenced. Discussion reviews, among else, recent literature findings on correlation of vitamin B12 deficiency and a vegan diet.

            Conclusion

            Nutrition and vitamin B12 status should be investigated during anamnesis of adolescent patients presenting with varied mental andphysical symptoms.

            Content

            Author and article information

            Journal
            ScienceOpen Posters
            ScienceOpen
            21 April 2022
            Affiliations
            [1 ] Psychiatric Hospital Sct. Hans, Roskilde, Denmark
            [2 ] University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Department of Social Psychiatry, Zagreb, Croatia
            Author notes
            Author information
            https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1284-0181
            Article
            10.14293/S2199-1006.1.SOR-.PPXG1JQ.v1
            186a0f52-8921-42a4-9c72-6eb0e3cb4490

            This work has been published open access under Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0 , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Conditions, terms of use and publishing policy can be found at www.scienceopen.com .

            History
            : 21 April 2022

            The data that support the findings of this study are available from from 8/6/22, efter EPA 2022 but restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for the current study, and so are not publicly available. Data are however available from the authors upon reasonable request and with permission of from 8/6/22, efter EPA 2022.
            Medicine
            vegan diet,vitamin B12,illnesses,adolescent

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